If you were going on holiday or making a trip it would make good sense to choose a destination and plan the route in advance. You may even make a list of the various roads, landmarks and turnings along the way if it was an unfamiliar route.

In your journey through life, if you want to be happy and fulfilled, it makes sense to do the same. Without goal setting and planning you are leaving your future to chance. Your path through life is by accident rather than design.

Any efficient organisation will have a stated vision of what the organisation wants to achieve and a mission statement of the route to get there. You can apply the same principles in any area of your life.

Where can you apply goal setting?

Whilst goal setting can be applied anywhere, it makes sense to segment your life into different aspects and set specific goals for each. It is up to you which areas you choose. Thefollowing list may give you some ideas:

Think big when goal setting

Many advocates of goal setting will advise you to set 'attainable and realistic' goals. The trouble with this approach is that it encourages you to under-estimate what you can achieve. If you study history's high achievers you will find that they mostly set themselves massive and seemingly unrealistic goals. These were broken down into smaller sub-goals that could be achieved without losing sight of the grand vision.

Thomas Edison did not set out to just develop an effective filament light bulb - his goal was to light the planet at night. In his lifetime he registered a record breaking 1093 patents achieving his big goal.

Don't limit yourself to easily achieved goals but make sure that you break big goals into smaller achievable ones with a plan and milestones along the way.

Goal setting is easier in reverse

One of the problems with big goal setting is that it can be very daunting to have a mountain to climb in front of you. It is so much easier to stand on the summit and look at the path that you took to the top.

When goal setting imagine yourself in the future once the goal was achieved. Then look back in detail and see the steps that you took:

What were the major milestones?

What resources did you need?

Who helped you along the way?

Whilst it may not turn out exactly as you envisage, you can gain more clarity and insights into the likely progress.

Another thing to bear in mind when visualising future success is to make the scene in your mind vivid and compelling, involving all the senses.

Stay focused on your goal setting targets

After the initial goal setting it is important to keep focused and remind yourself regularly of your final target. You may have been told that if you repeat a positive phrase (an affirmation) to yourself enough it will come true. The inventor of Mind Mapping, Tony Buzan warns of the perils of badly framed affirmations.

Let's say you wanted to lose weight and give up eating chocolate as part of your health goal setting programme. You may think that saying each morning, "I will not eat chocolate" would be effective. However, the main focus of the sentence is exactly what you want to avoid. You will think more about eating chocolate, so you are doomed to failure from the outset.

If instead you stood in front of the mirror saying, "I am slim and healthy" every day, it is a step in the right direction but, if the evidence from your eyes shows the opposite, you will once again fail. The brain naturally seeks out truth and will reject obviously false messages.

Buzan describes a technique he calls meta-positive thinking. This puts the focus on the process of change and the desired outcome. So an effective affirmation could be, "I am becoming a healthy eater". The focus is on the good new habit and it is true that you are on the road towards the goal.

'Tomorrow never comes' goal setting

Personal development guru Anthony Robbins defines a goal as 'a dream with a deadline'. It is important when goal setting to state the date by which time you want to achieve the goal. This gives the project urgency. It forces you to take action. If you don't set a date but leave your goal as something you want at some woolly future time you can always put things off till tomorrow.

Make sure you really, really want your goals

Do you remember the British pop group Spice Girls bursting into the music charts in the 1990s with their song 'Wannabe'? The key line in the lyrics is the phrase, "Tell me what you want, what you really, really want".

When goal setting make sure the goal is what you really, really want. There is no point putting a great deal of energy into something that you achieve only to find that it isn't what you wanted.

Imagine that I could wave a magic wand and give you your goal tomorrow. Would you be happy?

Remember that goals can change over time. You can and should review your goals regularly and adjust them if appropriate.

Using Mind Maps to keep track of your goals

You must keep a physical record of your goals when goal setting. You can just write them down but there is a far more effective technique that taps into your creativity. You need your goals to be:

Visual

Structured

Memorable

These are three cornerstones of Tony Buzan's Mind Mapping that we mentioned earlier.

Mind Mapping creates a graphical representation of your thoughts on a single page making use of images, colour and most importantly associations between ideas. Create a Mind Map and put it on your wall and you will be able to see all the elements of your goal at a glance and remember them.

Mind Mapping takes time to master with pen and paper. Probably the biggest hurdle that most people find is that their artistic abilities do not match the pictures in their head. For goal setting you will be looking at the Mind Map repeatedly over time so need it to be pleasing to the eye.

Luckily help is at hand. ThinkBuzan have developed a piece of software called iMindMap. This follows all Buzan's principles very closely, making it intuitive to use. Best of all, it comes with over a million images that you can simply search for by keyword and include in your Mind Map with a single click.

Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

FREE Goal Setting Templates

Want to start goal setting more effectively, right now? Download this free template from iMindMap, available in .imm or image format.

]]>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:01:55 +0000http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/mind-maps-for-pre-and-post-assessment
Using Mind Maps for pre and post assessment of students' learning is a realistic and transparent form of measuring topic adoption, enjoyed by students and teachers alike. In this article, we take a look at the benefits of using Mind Maps for pre and post assessment.

What is Mind Mapping and how does it aid learning?

Mind Mapping is a visual interpretation of your thoughts and ideas, arranged around a central topic (if you want toknow how make a Mind Map, head here). It is used in thousands of schools, universities and colleges worldwide to aid comprehension, memory, creativity and innovation. Mind Mapping is used in education as it allows students the freedom to interpret topics in their own way, making their own connections between ideas. Also, the use of images, colours and keywords ensure that your students commit the information they Mind Map to memory, ideal for assessment.

What are the benefits of Mind Mapping for assessment?

Mind Mapping is a great tool for assessment of students' pre and post learning, to accurately gauge the knowledge they have absorbed. Essentially, students make a Mind Map before and after they have been taught a particular topic. Tony Buzan calls this method 'preview and review', and it is an effective assessment of topic adoption. Mind Maps allow your students to interpret and express ideas metaphorically, and as a method of assessment it does not rely on your students' language levels. Therefore this gives a more accurate picture of the knowledge they have amassed. Plus it allows your students to display their contextual knowledge and requires deeper insight , as they make connections between topics, other topics and their sub-topics.

The understanding measured by using Mind Mapping for assessment is transparent and realistic, based on actual knowledge learnt rather than language or written skills. More importantly, unlike traditional assessment, students actually enjoy the process!

Will Mind Mapping for assessment be applicable for all of my students?

Mind Mapping for pre and post assessment is suitable for a whole range of students, from visual and kinaesthetic learners to the high achievers. For visual and kinaesthetic learners, it makes it easier to express their ideas in a non-linear, colourful and image-filled way. It is particularly helpful for dyslexic students, who can find taking assessments via traditional methods frustrating and even demoralising, as this is often based solely upon language levels. However, using Mind Mapping for assessments is also stimulating for the highly achieving students, as Mind Mapping does not place a pre-defined 'ceiling' on how far they can take an exercise or how much knowledge they can display.

How do I apply Mind Mapping to pre and post assessment?

There are two ways in which you can practically apply Mind Mapping to pre and post assessments. The first is for older or more able students to try.

First, introduce the topic to your students, and ask them as a pre assessment to Mind Map their initial thoughts and responses. They can take these initial ideas from anywhere: the media, other parts of the curriculum, their own interpretations etc.

After the pre assessment, then teach the topic to your students, who can use their initial Mind Maps as a reference for how much their knowledge is growing.

Finally, as the post assessment, ask your students to create a summative assessment Mind Map, even using their initial Mind Maps as a template. They should be able to add in much more accurate detail, plus make sophisticated connections between areas of the topic and show evidence of independent thinking (looked for in formal exam marking criteria). Once you have reviewed this post assessment of topic adoption, the students can use their summative Mind Maps as a rich source of supportive evidence. Ideal for revision or topic reviews.

The second application of Mind Mapping for pre and post assessment is more suitable for younger students, or less able pupils.:

For the pre assessment, make this an inclusive class exercise, and create a group Mind Map so you can capture everyone's initial ideas and opinions - this task is ideal on a whiteboard. This approach really fires up younger students' imaginations and is a great way to include everyone.

Following the pre assessment, and after you have taught your students the topic, you can discuss the class's original ideas, and then restructure this Map to assess their knowledge. This method of assessment involves including a sample of the topic information your students have been taught in a random Mind Map structure around the central idea, then asking the students to make the correct connections between these ideas and supply their own understanding to rearrange the Map. For example, with a Map on French vocabulary, you could place different images around the Map and get your students to place these next to the correct words or phrases.

By using this 'restructured' Mind Map, the students can participate in self-assessment to measure the accuracy and depth of the knowledge they have acquired. More able students will be comfortable with the task, less able students may require support and further instruction.

Why iMindMap makes pre and post assessment less complicated

iMindMap offers many tools and features which can enhance using Mind Mapping for pre and post assessment. For example, if you want to make tailored template Maps for your students, the process couldn't be easier as you simply save the iMindMap file under Templates to re-use again and again.

In the post assessment exercise, your students can drag and drop files, documents, web links and audio and video files onto their Map to further display their knowledge.

For coursework purposes, students can export these assessment Maps to Word or PowerPoint format, to use as a basis for an essay or present upon.

Younger students will love using iMindMap on the interactive whiteboard, and this will capture their imagination for the group task. You can also use images and icons from the large Image and Icon Libraries for the 'restructuring the Map' assessment - making life easy!

Plus, younger students will love that they can print their assessment Maps off in a variety of ways to use as study posters.

Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

If you would like to know more about Mind Mapping for pre and post assessment, please take a look at our informative video.

]]>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:46:20 +0100http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/7-mind-mapping-uses-for-students
We get it: you want to know what this Mind Mapping technique is, and why students would use it. Well, we have 7 ways students can start Mind Mapping to get better results, improve their memory and spend less time actually making notes - surely that's worth a read! You can find out more about how to create a Mind Map step-by-step.

1) Making Notes

Firstly, Mind Maps are a great way for students to make notes on all of the information they receive. Do you ever feel like, as students, you are being told a ton of facts and figures and have no way to get it all down and remember it? Mind Maps help students to note down only the most important information using key words, and then make connections between facts and ideas visually - keeping all of your topic thoughts together on one sheet.

This makes note making easier or students, as it reduces pages of notes into one single side of paper. Having one visual resource to refer to makes everything easier. Then, when you come back to review your notes, you will remember the information more quickly - quite a feat!

Plus, with the iMindMap software, you can attach files, videos, documents and web links to your Maps for information at your fingertips! You can add to these and edit when you revisit them for your exams.

2) Planning an Essay

Students get it all the time - your teachers are asking you to create an essay plan. But do you just not know where to start? Or, when you make a plan, do you find it hard to stick to? By creating a Mind Map to plan your essay, you generate more ideas quickly and, with the radial structure, you can quickly see the connecting topics, main paragraphs and structure.

Mind Maps will help you make a realistic plan for your essay, and create a logical structure for the introduction, main sections and conclusions. Mind Mapping focuses your mind on the message you want to get across and the key information you want to include, making you less likely to go off topic or start rambling - a great tool for making sure you hit the marking criteria.

With iMindMap, you create your Map of keywords, plus you can add notes if you need more detail. Once you have made your Mind Map, you can even export it to Microsoft Word - with your notes in place, your essay is nearly fully written! Great for students' coursework. Mind Mapping to plan essays is especially useful for students facing timed essays in their exams!

3) Studying for Exams

Speaking of exams, how many students hate studying for exams? Having to go back through piles of notes, forgettingwhat they were about in the first place! With Mind Mapping, studying and exams don't have to be scary. Simply review the notes you have made on each subject, and Mind Map the key information you need to remember.

To check that you have memorised this information, you can create a new Mind Map with only the main topic branches, and then fill in the rest from memory. You will find that you will have remembered more, and maintained the connections between ideas - ideal for answering exam questions! When students use iMindMap, you can collapse branches to test yourself, or focus in and out on different aspects of the subject.

4) Creative Inspiration

Have you ever tried to write a story, paint a picture or plan an essay but had no ideas to start with? Mind Mapping sparks billions of creative ideas, for students to turn into the next great novel or artwork! Mind Maps work in the same way as your brain, meaning that when you have a thought - this could be an image, a word or a feeling - this instantly sparks off hundreds of connecting ideas.

Mind Maps are just a way of representing this process on paper, so start Mind Mapping and you'll find thousands of ideas flooding out. Plus, Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Mapping and all-round smart guy, says that when you start Mind Mapping students should note down any ideas that they have - no matter how crazy or random! This is where the best creative plans come from - so don't be afraid to be off the wall...

5) Problem Solving

If you have a tough equation or obstacle you need to overcome, Mind Mapping can help you to see things clearly. Students should know that the ability to problem solve is looked for by universities and future employers - Mind Mapping will get you ahead of the pack!

When you encounter a problem, your instinct is to panic, meaning your heart starts beating faster and you feel stressed. Instead of 'forcing' your mind to find a solution, Mind Mapping helps to open up many possibilities and options to solve the problem.

When you Mind Map for a solution, you can add any ideas or resources you can think of, and the nature of Mind Mapping means that you spark off more possibilities from your original thoughts. You can then refine your Map for the most practical or realistic solutions available. For students, by Mind Mapping a solution to your problem, you should become focused on the many options you have, and then choose the quickest/easiest/best one for your problem.

6) Making Presentations

Making presentations at school, college or university can be daunting for students, but they are a great way of showing that you know the subject well and are confident to talk about it. With Mind Maps, presenting is a breeze for students. Reading from sheets of notes is boring for students - with Mind Mapping you only have keywords and images to stimulate your memory, so you automatically present in a more conversational way as you keep eye contact with your audience.

When you make your presentation Mind Map, you only keep the most interesting facts and information, and you lay it out in a clear structure. You can even add numbers to order your talking points. With iMindMap, you can plan your presentation with all of your ideas and resources, create your presentation Map and even present using the amazing inbuilt Presentation Mode - all from within one Mind Map! Presentation Mode animates your Mind Map as you talk, to really wow your crowd.

7) Group Study

Group study can be a really fun way for students to share their knowledge, and Mind Mapping can help you to get the best out of a brainstorming session. First, you should make an individual Mind Map of your thoughts on the topic, as this will focus your mind on your own ides and opinions - not all the other students'!

Then when you join together, you can combine your ideas with your friends', without losing your personal insights on the topic, creating a new Mind Map with everyone's ideas.With iMindMap, you can create a Mind Map with each of your friends' names as main branches, and then even record Audio Notes of you and your fellow students' discussions, adding each persons' input to their individual branch.

Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

]]>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:42:59 +0100http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/how-to-mind-map-with-imindmap-a-students-guide
Mind Maps are a great way to organise your thoughts, make connections between your ideas and keep your memory fresh! If you want to know how Mind Maps are made on paper, check out our step-by-step guide here.

Today we will be looking at Mind Mapping with iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps. If you haven't downloaded your 7 day FREE trial of iMindMap yet, get it here, then take a look at these step-by-step instructions.

Get Mind Mapping with iMindMap in 6 simple steps

1) Creating your central idea

Firstly start by creating your central idea. This will set the theme of your Mind Map and should symbolise the topic you would like to represent. When you open the iMindMap program, a choice of central images will appear. Simply select which image you would like to use from this menu, and you can add a short text label in the box provided underneath if you would like to. You can choose one from the selection of iMindMap images which most suit your topic or import your own to be even more personal!

2) Adding your ideas

You next need to add your ideas and thoughts to your Mind Map. You can do this by adding branches for each of your ideas. You will start by drawing main branches, which act like the chapter headings of your topic.

To draw a main branch radiating from your central idea, hover your cursor over the Central Idea, and you will see a red dot appear, click on the red dot and drag out to draw your branch. You can add all of your main branches in this way, to represent each major theme of your topic.

After this, you can start adding child branches, which will contain the more detailed information of each of your main branches. To draw a child branch, hover the cursor over the end of your main branch until the red dot appears and then drag out. The colour coding on the branches gives you a clue to their function, remember red = create, blue = edit!

3) Moving and changing your branches

To move the position of a branch once you have drawn it, simply click on the branch to make it active and drag this to the place you would like the branch to be placed on your Map. Where you are able to add the branch directly over another branch, your cursor will then change to a crosshairs, so simply release your mouse to attach. The branch and its child branches will then be inserted as further child branches.

You can also change the length of your branch,by hovering your cursor over the end of your branch, so that the blue ring appears. Click on this blue ring and move inwards or outwards to change the length of the branch.

Finally, to manipulate the shape of the branch, click on your branch to make it active, and you will see blue dots appear appear along it. These blue dots, or control points, also allow you to change the shape of your branch by clicking on one of these blue dots and dragging to change the shape. You can make your branches as original as you like!

4) Using key words

Once you have created a branch for your idea, you can add a word to describe this idea. It is important that you try and only use one key word here. This is because one word will create many more connections than two, allowing your mind to have the freedom to spark off new ideas and thoughts. For example, if I put both my first and second name, Rosy Smith, on one branch, this limits the associations I can make to just me individually. However, if I give each name a separate branch, I can make so many more associations e.g. Rosy: my likes, dislikes, favourite food, favourite colour. Smith: my mother, father, sister and brother etc.

To add a word simply type straight after drawing your branch. If you would like to edit what you have written, double click on the branch and a text box will appear so that you can change your text. If you would like to see how it's done, check out our Adding Text to Branches mini video tutorial.

Top tip: if you ever need to include more information than just one word, iMindMap lets you attach notes to any of your branches so you can add further words or information, and these branch notes appear when you roll your cursor over the branch. To add notes, simply click on the branch to make it active and the Branch Editor will appear to the right of the branch. Click on the 'clipboard' icon (if you are unsure about which icon is which, if you roll over them with your cursor helpful text appears) and a word processor will open so that you can add your notes. Especially useful for revising!

5) Using images and icons

Using images and icons makes your Mind Map more memorable, meaning that you are more likely to remember the important information on your Map. And they look great, perfect for wowing your teachers, friends and family!

You can attach an image to your branch, by clicking on your branch to make it active (blue dots) and selecting the 'Insert Image' icon (roll over with your mouse for text) on the Branch Editor. You can attach images to your branches using the iMindMap Image Library! Or if you want to attach an Icon, click on the branch to make it active and select 'Insert Icon' on the Branch Editor. An image is larger and more detailed, whereas an icon is small and symbolic e.g. ticks and crosses. Use a variety to really make your Mind Maps memorable! You can even try Mind Mapping without using words at all!

6) Make connections and associations

When you have finished making main branches, child branches and adding notes and images, you can start linking between the different sections of your Map. For example, if you have a Map on happiness including the main branch 'Warmth', and you have added 'Sun' as a child branch, you may want to link this to another main branch entitled 'Holidays'. To add this link, you can use Relationship Arrows, which connect two ideas which are related but may not follow each other.

To add a Relationship Arrow, select the Draw Icon in your top toolbar and select Arrow. Then click on the end of the branch you would like to connect from, and drag your cursor to the end of the branch you would like to connect to. For more detail, take a look at our Relationship Arrows mini video tutorial.

Congratulations you are now Mind Mapping with iMindMap!

Want to add more to your Mind Maps?

Highlight the important areas of your Map using Highlight Clouds, by clicking on the branch you would like to 'Cloud' to make it active, then select the Cloud Icon on the Branch Editor. To see this in action, visit our Highlight Clouds mini video tutorial.

Why not get creative and add your own sketch to your Map? You can add your own cool drawing with the iMindMap Sketch Tool, simply click on your branch to make it active, and then click on the 'Paintbrush' icon in the Branch Editor. The Sketch Tool will appear, allowing you to create a colourful drawing to add to your Map. If you want to know more, watch our Sketch Tool mini video tutorial.

Want to add more information to your Mind Map? Why not addlinks to your branches to different websites, documents or other Mind Maps. This will allow you to easily access more information about a particular topic. To add a link, simply click on a branch, making it active, and then click on the Paperclip icon. A dialog box will appear and you will be able to attach files and links!

Now you can Mind Map you will be able to remember, learn, note take, plan, problem solve, concentrate and organise more easily and effectively!

Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

]]>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:41:06 +0100http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/how-to-mind-map-with-imindmap-a-teachers-guide
Mind Maps are the ultimate organisational thinking tool, and this has been taken to the next level with iMindMap, the only software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps. If you haven't yet, why not get your 7 day FREE Trial of iMindMap from here, and then take a look at this step-by-step guide.

7 simple steps to Mind Mapping with iMindMap

1) Creating your central idea

Firstly start by creating your central idea. This will set the theme of your Mind Map and should symbolise the topic you would like to represent. When you open the iMindMap program, a choice of central images will appear. Simply select which image you would like to use from this menu, and you can add a short text label in the box provided underneath if you would like to. You can choose one from the selection of iMindMap images which most suit your topic or import your own to be even more meaningful.

2) Adding your ideas

You next need to add your ideas and thoughts to your Mind Map. You can do this by adding branches for each of your ideas. You will start by drawing main branches, which act like the chapter headings of your topic.

To draw a main branch radiating from your central idea, hover your cursor over the Central Idea, and you will see a red dot appear, click on the red dot and drag out to draw your branch. You can add all of your main branches in this way, to represent each major theme of your topic.

After this, you can start adding child branches, which will contain the more detailed information of each of your main branches. To draw a child branch, hover the cursor over the end of your main branch until the red dot appears and then drag out. The colour coding on the branches gives you a clue to their function, remember red = create, blue = edit!

3) Moving and changing your branches

To move the position of a branch once you have drawn it, simply click on the branch to make it active and drag this to the place you would like the branch to be placed on your Map. Where you are able to add the branch directly over another branch, your cursor will then change to a crosshairs, so simply release your mouse to attach. The branch and its child branches will then be inserted as further child branches.

You can also change the length of your branch,by hovering your cursor over the end of your branch, so that the blue ring appears. Click on this blue ring and move inwards or outwards to change the length of the branch.

Finally, to manipulate the shape of the branch, click on your branch to make it active, and you will see blue dots appear appear along it. These blue dots, or control points, also allow you to change the shape of your branch by clicking on one of these blue dots and dragging to change the shape. You can make your branches as original as you like, tailoring as you go along to fit your topic.

4) Using key words

Once you have created a branch for your idea, you can add a word to describe this idea. Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Mapping, states that it is important that you try and only use one key word here. This is because one word will create many more connections than two, allowing your mind to have the freedom to spark off new ideas and thoughts. For example, if I put both my first and second name, Rosy Smith, on one branch, this limits the associations I can make to just me individually. However, if I give each name a separate branch, I can make so many more associations e.g. Rosy: my likes, dislikes, favourite novel, first school. Smith: my mother, father, sister and brother etc.

To add a word simply type straight after drawing your branch. If you would like to edit what you have written, double click on the branch and a text box will appear so that you can change your text. If you would like to see how it's done, check out our Adding Text to Branches mini video tutorial.

Top tip: if you ever need to include more information than just one word, iMindMap lets you attach notes to any of your branches so you can add further words or information, and these branch notes appear when you roll your cursor over the branch. To add notes, simply click on the branch to make it active and the Branch Editor will appear to the right of the branch. Click on the 'clipboard' icon (if you are unsure about which icon is which, if you roll over them with your cursor helpful text appears) and a word processor will open so that you can add your notes. Especially useful for planning the curriculum, as you can add detailed national guidelines or attainment goals.

5) Using images and icons

Using images and icons makes your Mind Map more memorable, meaning that you are more likely to remember the important information on your Map. Plus, when creating classroom handouts, images and icons are much more visually appealing to students.

You can attach an image to your branch, by clicking on your branch to make it active (blue dots) and selecting the 'Insert Image' icon (roll over with your mouse for text) on the Branch Editor. You can attach images to your branches using the iMindMap Image Library. Or if you want to attach an Icon, click on the branch to make it active and select 'Insert Icon' on the Branch Editor. An image is larger and more detailed, whereas an icon is small and symbolic e.g. ticks and crosses. If you are working with dyslexic or visual learners, you can even try Mind Mapping without using words at all for a new approach.

6) Make connections and associations

When you have finished making main branches, child branches and adding notes and images, you can start linking between the different sections of your Map. Relationship arrows help you to connect two related ideas which do not appear from the same root, and you can add a key word to describe their relationship. To add a Relationship Arrow, select the Draw Icon in your top toolbar and select Arrow. Then click on the end of the branch you would like to connect from, and drag your cursor to the end of the branch you would like to connect to. For more detail, take a look at our Relationship Arrows mini video tutorial.

7) Strengthen your associations

Highlight the important areas of your Map using Highlight Clouds, by clicking on the branch you would like to 'Cloud' to make it active, then select the Cloud Icon on the Branch Editor. To see this in action, visit our Highlight Clouds mini video tutorial.

If you want get creative with your students, take a look at the Sketch Tool. Students can add their own drawings with the iMindMap Sketch Tool, making their Maps more personal and therefore more memorable. You simply click on your branch to make it active, and then click on the 'Paintbrush' icon in the Branch Editor. The Sketch Tool will appear, allowing you or your students to create a colourful drawing to add to your Map. If you want to know more, watch our Sketch Tool mini video tutorial.

Want to add more information to your Mind Map? Why not add links to your branches to different websites, documents or other Mind Maps. This will allow you to easily access more information about a particular topic. To add a link, simply click on a branch, making it active, and then click on the Paperclip icon. A dialog box will appear and you will be able to attach files and links, perfect for multimedia presentations.

Now you can Mind Map you will be able to remember, learn, note take, plan, problem solve, concentrate and organise more easily and effectively.

Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

]]>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:39:03 +0100http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/improving-productivity-with-mind-maps
Walking into the office each morning, you are already performing mental gymnastics trying to figure out how you'll get through your task list for the day, only to be confronted by twenty equally urgent and demanding messages, and the phone ringing off the hook. Sound familiar?

The past decade has seen meteoric advances in communication, with emails, Facebook, SMS, Twitter, Skype, Ping, blogs, feeds and a myriad other indispensable forms of 'connecting' and absorbing information. With such resources at our disposal productivity should be soaring, shouldn't it? However, whilst the world may well be at your fingertips, you are unfortunately equally within reach of the world too.

Managing this bombardment of information you receive everyday and juggling the resulting tasks is in itself a full time job. There just aren't enough hours in the day - so what can you do? Well you can start by creating more time. Using Mind Maps can streamline your working day and is proven to improve productivity by 20% - that means you can gain an extra working day every week!

How can Mind Mapping improve my productivity?

One of the simplest and most effective ways to use Mind Mapping and boost your productivity is to begin each day by spending five minutes creating a Mind Map 'to do' list. This will allow you to view and review your tasks, prioritising according to deadlines and realistically determining what is achievable in the time you have available.

1. Begin by making your day your map's central idea

2. Add on main branches for key tasks or projects that you need to accomplish or work on that day.

3. From these main branches, draw child branches with names, events, time deadlines or other keywords that make up the specific actions needed to complete the bigger task.

4. Look for links between different tasks. Does one task directly impact another? Draw relationship arrows to demonstrate this.

As you build your Mind Map you can get a clear picture of your workload and view each task objectively. You can determine what's important and what's not, see how certain projects will relate and impact on other tasks, and block your time to achieve optimum productivity.

A good way to track your progress through the tasks is to create a separate Mind Map with the main branches as different time segments of the day. Then select tasks from your day's Mind Map to add onto these branches, creating a schedule for the day. With the iMindMap software you can copy and paste branches between maps as you schedule them to be done so that you are left with a clear picture of what is left to do. There is no need to start again or re-draft your maps so you can save even more time with iMindMap.

How can Mind Mapping help me long term?

There is no need to restrict this to a daily schedule. The same principles work for weekly, monthly, even annual planning. You can create main branches that cover broad topics, such as Finance, Personal Development, any long term projects, personal issues - any thing that requires action on your part. Then use child branches to drill down into tasks, deadlines and deliverables. A Mind Map allows you to group tasks or ideas in a limitless radiating structure, so you can have a clear, organised picture of what you need to do to achieve your goals all in one place.

Another time saving tip is to create templates for your work schedule that you can use daily or weekly. You can either pre-draw and photocopy a number of these, or add a template into the iMindMap software. Then simply add on the tasks to be completed to the relevant time periods.

How can iMindMap consolidate and share information?

With the iMindMap software you can easily share your plans with your colleagues with the click of a button. Export to other office applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Project, as well as OpenOffice and iWork, or simply send your maps as image files. You can also attach files or links to your map, such as spreadsheets, meeting agendas, proposals, web pages, audio files - any relevant information can be stored in one place, easily accessible. The flexibility of the software is designed to make your life as easy as possible and to facilitate high levels of productivity.

Productivity is about streamlining your work practises and making the most of your time. Mind Mapping can be easily incorporated into your working day, providing a space to keep track of your 'To Do' list in a concise, practical and productive way. Regain control of your workload, reach new levels of productivity and lower your stress levels with Mind Mapping!

Interested in boosting productivity in your company? You can get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

]]>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:27:38 +0100http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/multiuser-and-individual-pricing
We offer multiple user and individual licenses on all of our editions. Our pricing is flexible and multi-user licenses can be purchased in any number, and we offer fantastic multi-user discounts.

You can purchase multiple user licenses from this website from 1 to 25 - please head to our Buy Page to find out more about our iMindMap Editions and to place your order.

Plus, buy 10 or more user license for iMindMap Ultimate or Ultimate PLUS and receive a 30 minute one-on-one online training session in iMindMap Essential Skills with one of our expert trainers.

We also offer corporate discounts if you would like to purchase more than 25 licenses, including site licenses. For more information please email our Sales Team sales@thinkbuzan.com, providing us with the number of educational licenses you require and we will be delighted to give you a quote.

The inventor of Mind Maps, Tony Buzan, on how Mind Maps can help you to master project management.

Chris Griffiths - Project Management

The founder and CEO of Think Buzan elaborates on how to utilise Mind Mapping to gain a new level of control over all aspects of your projects.

Tony Buzan - Delivering Flawless Presentations

Named one of the top five international speakers by Forbes Magazine, Tony Buzan gives his tips on how to give flawless presentations.

Chris Griffiths - Brainstorming and Idea Generation

Brainstorming is such an important element of any organisation, allowing you to come up with new ideas and inspiration, but so many people only go part of the way to effective brainstorming. Watch Chris Griffiths, CEO and Founder of ThinkBuzan, and discover the secrets of effective brainstorming.

Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE TRIAL of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

]]>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:01:58 +0100http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/example-mind-maps-business
A selection of example Mind Maps showing practical applications in Business, available in both image file format and iMindMap files. Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE TRIAL, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

SWOT Analysis

PEST Analysis

Four P's

Product Life Cycle

Scenario Planning

Running a Meeting

Performance Coaching

Interested in Mind Mapping? You can get a FREE TRIAL of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.

]]>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:00:46 +0100http://www.thinkbuzan.com/en_ca/articles/view/mind-mapping-for-innovation
We have all experienced the strain of working through the recession. The market is ruthless and for your business to stay ahead of the competition you must constantly develop and evolve. Innovation is a prerequisite not a bonus and so the ability to generate new ideas and find a fresh perspective is more valuable than ever. Find out how Mind Maps can stimulate innovation - whatever your business.

Creativity and Innovation

Innovation and creativity go hand in hand, and you cannot push forward and create a space for innovation within your company without first finding a way to enhance your collective creative skills.

The Harvard Business Review

If you need to brainstorm an issue, develop a new product, deliver a marketing campaign, make a pitch for a deal or simply discuss a problem, creativity is key. Creating a Mind Map is an excellent way of coming up with creative ways to address the matter.

Here is a simple five-step Mind Mapping process for you to follow to create your own brainstorming Mind Maps and boost innovation in your company.

1. The Quick-Fire Mind Map Burst

Begin your Mind Map by setting your central idea, theme or topic. Choose a stimulating central image that represents the theme or topic you are addressing.

From your central idea radiate every idea that comes into your mind on that subject, dividing them into key ideas, or main brain branches. From your main ideas/branches add your sub ideas, or child branches. You should let the ideas flow as fast as possible. Having to work at speed unchains your brain from habitual thinking patterns, and encourages new ideas and innovation. Many of these new ideas may at first seem absurd, however they often hold the key to new perspectives and the breaking of old habits. The most innovative solutions come from the germ of an idea, and you want to encourage as many new thoughts and creative ideas as you can at this stage.

2. First Reconstruction and Revision

Have a short break or move onto another task, allowing your brain to rest and begin to integrate the ideas generated so far. Then make a new map in which you identify the core ideas/branches, categorising, building up hierarchies and finding new associations between your preliminary ideas. Similar ideas may be repeated in different areas of your map, on different branches. These peripheral repetitions reflect the significance of the repeated idea as it is influencing multiple aspects of your thinking and should be pursued further as a lead to innovation.

3. Incubation

After completing the above steps, take a break - innovation comes from those light bulb moments and these sudden creative realisations often occur when the brain is relaxed such as daydreaming, sleeping or running. This is because such states of mind allow the radiant thinking process to spread to the farthest reaches of the brain, increasing the probability of mental breakthroughs. The potential of focused daydreaming to help facilitate innovation should not be underestimated. Albert Einstein did it himself to help visualise and arrive at his famous theory.

4. Second Reconstruction and Revision

After incubation your brain will have a fresh perception on your first and second Mind Maps, so it will be useful to do another quick fire Mind Map burst. During this reconstruction stage you will need to consider all the information gathered and integrated in stages 1, 2 and 3 of the process for generating innovation, in order to make a comprehensive final Mind Map.

5. The Final Stage

Using your final Mind Map, you now need to search for the solution, decision, or realisation which was your original creative goal. This often involves doing further work on your Mind Map - making connections between branches and perhaps adding further sub-branches. When using iMindMap you can move branches around your workspace which often stimulates more connections and ideas. The answer may not present itself straight away, so be patient, take another incubation break if you need to. Finding connections and patterns that you had not previously been aware of can lead to major new insights, breakthroughs and genuine innovation.

Why Mind Maps are tools for Innovation

Mind Mapping by definition acts as a trigger device for your brain, creating an explosion in creativity, innovation and knowledge sharing.

Mind Maps are based on the fundamental principles of creativity and so they are perfectly suited to supporting ideas generation and innovation.

They allow you to view a great many elements all at once, thus increasing the probability of creative association and integration, and consequently, innovation.

Innovation is about originality and the cutting edge. They encourage your brain to track out ideas which normally lie in obscurity on the edge of your thinking.

They increase the probability of you straying far from the norm, exploring unconventional routes and producing a truly innovative idea.

They tap into your rational and grounded skills and your imaginative and free-associative skills, encouraging them to work together to amplify and focus your thinking - creating the perfect space for innovation.

Boost Innovation with iMindMap

You can stimulate innovation in half the time with Mind Mapping software. Tony Buzan's iMindMap utilises the true principles of Mind Mapping and makes creating maps refreshingly simple.

Editing and revising maps takes no time at all, so there is no need to start from scratch when you need to rearrange or expand your map - cutting down significantly on the steps above. Speed Mind Map Mode draws the map for you so you can capture ideas as they come without interrupting your train of thought. iMindMap will unleash your creativity and enrich your business with innovation and success.

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and Pixar

Interested in driving innovation in your company? You can get a FREE trial of iMindMap, the only Mind Mapping software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Maps.